Chest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen. This area can be the site of pain associated with a heart attack, but it can also be caused by many other conditions. Heart attack pain often radiates down the shoulder and arm. However, some people, like older adults, people with diabetes, and women, may experience little or no chest pain.
Chest pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:
- Heart attack (lack of blood to your heart).
- Coronary artery disease (CAD, a narrowing or blockage in your arteries).
- Indigestion (heartburn) or reflux.
- Muscle strains.
- Inflammation where the ribs join the breastbone (known as costochondritis).
- Problems with the lungs, esophagus, muscles, ribs, or nerves.
If you are experiencing chest pain, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
Examples of heart pain:
- Pressure: A feeling of tightness or squeezing in the chest.
- Heaviness: A feeling of weight on the chest.
- Fullness: A feeling of tightness or fullness in the chest.
- Discomfort: A feeling of pain or pressure that is difficult to describe.
- Sharp pain: A sudden, intense pain in the chest.
- Burning pain: A burning sensation in the chest.
- Dull ache: A persistent, throbbing pain in the chest.
It is important to note that not all chest pain is caused by a heart attack. However, if you are experiencing any chest pain, it is always best to err on the side of caution and seek medical attention.
